What to Wear to a Burns Supper

To those who dinnae ken

(A brief explanation for non-Scots who don’t know what a Burns Supper is)

In Scotland on the 25th of January each year we throw a birthday party for our most beloved poet, the one and truly, only Robert Burns. We toss back whisky, tuck into haggis, sing songs and quote poetry with competitive zeal. We cast banter back and forth across the table – to the laddies, to the lassies…to the haggis, to a mouse….

If it’s a good Burns Supper we’ll get carried away and find we all know far more Burns than we thought, our hearts will wobble on hearing Ae Fond Kiss, we’ll be roused by Auld Lang Syne and we’ll go home shaken and stirred.

It is a grand big hoolie and getting dressed up is only the start of the fun.

So chaps, what to wear?

Trews

Bladen Trews.

Tartan is most definitely the order of the day and trews fit the bill whether you’re off to the type of formal affair that dictates ladies in taffeta gowns with tartan sashes, or a cosy supper in a friend’s kitchen.

Kilts

Although Burns was a Lowland Scot there’s room for a little poetic licence and wearing a kilt is totally acceptable.

The full garb – Prince Charlie jacket and vest, sporran, white hose socks with flashes and skean dhu, is pretty serious dressing up and suitable for formal events. You’ll certainly cut a dash for we have yet to encounter a man who isn’t flattered by the full dress kilt. Handsome one and all.

The kilt and jumper look is perfect. Note: it is not necessary to run through bracken for this look to work. Image source: Pinterest.

It is entirely plausible to style your kilt with a tweed jacket, or wear it with a big heavy knit. The most important thing about wearing a kilt is to wear it with confidence and pride. If that’s not for you, then stick to the trews.

Footwear

Loake Scafell

The clean lines of a smart oxford work well with trews. Make sure yours are polished to high sheen.

Loake Edward

Brogues are to kilts what neeps are to haggis, not very high brow but you get the point. A pair of sturdy brogues are the perfect compliment to the full dress kilt or the dress down, rugged look.

Meindl Bhutan Boots and Loake Wolf Boots

Boots also work well for the kilt and jumper rugged look, the Wolf Boots from Loake or for that rolled of the hills, man-of-the-mountains look a full-on walking boot like the Bhutan GTX by Meindl.

If you enjoyed this post please ‘like’ and ‘share’ with anyone you know heading to a Burns Supper. Be sure to tell them to have a good time!